Portable, visual, and electric traffic signal



Aug. 14, 1951 D. L. BEALL ETAL I 2,564,145

- PORTABLE VISUAL AND ELECTRIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed Nbv. 29, 1948 [k %WWW "J? 3 v INVENTORS 4| 42 T 44' a BEALL y H. c. MENGES B 39 4| 4| v 7 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 14, 1951 PORTABLE, VISUAL, AND ELECTRIC TRAFFIC SIGNAL Donald L. Beall, Goshen, and Howard C. Menges, Bristol, 1nd,, assignors to'Maynard H.'Nusbaum, Elkhart, Ind., and Orville K. Brandon, Man.-

chester, N. H.

Application November 29, v194s, Serial No. 62,506

This invention relates-to signalling means and more particularly to a visual signal adapted for use on a roadway or the like to warn vehicles of the proximity of construction work, hazardous conditions, or the like. Heretofore signals and signs of various types and supported in numerous ways have been employed to warn the drivers of vehicles approaching construction work of the necessity for proceeding with caution. Similar signs. have also been used for other purposes, including warnings for crossings, schools, and the like.

Frequently the need .for indicators of this type in a given position is of relatively short duration. For example, in the construction of highways, installation of pipe lines and the like, the progress of the work requires that the warning indicators be moved from time to time, often as much as every day or perhaps every fewhours. in some situations, a signal is only required for a short period of time and in such instances the cost oferecting a suitable one is often out of proportion to the use required.

Itis often necessary to provide a sign for approaching drivers to read during the day time .1 Claim. Cl. .17 7 .329)

and a light or the like to supplement the sign during the hours of darkness. This problem has been only partially met up to the present time by means of providing separate types of signals for day and night use, necessarily requiring additional expenditure and transporting problems.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a visual signal in which the above-described deficiencies are overcome.

A further object of the invention is to provide an easily movable signal which combines a signal light for night time use with warning flags and a sign or legend for imparting information to those approaching the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combined signal adapted for night time and day time use having its source of power, and which is capable of being easily moved.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an easily movable signal for night and day time use which is inexpensive to manufacture and durable in construction.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a device construct-ed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2, a side elevation of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a section of the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4, a fragmentary view of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 1 with a part thereof in section; and

Fig. 5 a wiring diagram of one preferredcircuit for supplying steady or' intermittent current to the signal light.

Referring to the drawings, the signal device I0 is comprised of amain framework I! having a plurality of sides l2, l3, l4 and I5. Although the framework illustrated is of substantially trapezoidal form, it is understood that this is merely one preferred embodiment of the invention and. that other forms may be employed. Attached to the sides It and I 4 of the framework are bridging members or braces l6 and I1, forming a support for any desired source of electrical energy shown in the drawings as a storagebattery B. The storage battery may be secured to the support by conventional rod members ZU attached to ears l8 and 19 of the battery case. The framework and bridging-members are preferably constructed of lengths of angle iron, the individual pieces being welded together or connected by other suitable means.

For movably supporting theframework, wheel hangers 22 carrying axles 23 and wheels 24 are attached to one side of the framework and struts or props 25 to the other.

Extending upwardly from the sides I3 and 15 are elongated members 26 and 21 which are provided with leg members 28 and 29 extending substantially laterally of the framework and spaced therefrom. These leg membersare jointed together at their extremities by suitable fastening means or by aweld 30 and provide'an auxiliary support spaced above the'main framework for an upstanding member 3! which may be an integral part of the elongated member 26 and its leg 28 or maybe attached to the upwardly extending extremities of the legs 28 and 29.

A sleeve 32 is secured by welding or other suitable means to the leg 29 and receives a'rod 33 having a handle 34 at oneextremity and anadjustable collar 35 at the other. This handle is adapted to be moved outwardly to the position shown in phantom in Fig. 2, in order to afford more leverage for moving the device and when not in use to be retracted as shown in the drawing. By slidably adjusting the collar 35 on the rod 33 the length of the handle may be varied in accordance with the desires of the user.

In order to provide additional strength and rigidity to the upstanding member 3| a bracket or strut 36 has one extremity welded or otherwise secured to the sleeve 32 and the other near the upper extremity of the member 3 I. The ends 3 of the strut 36 may be curved or otherwise shaped to provide a larger surface for attaching the strut.

The upper end of the member 3| is formed at an angle providing a foot 31 adapted to receive a bolt or other fastener 38 for attaching a lamp 39 or the like. The lamp may be of conventional type but preferably has lenses 40 on either of its sides in order that it may be seen from both directions. It is contemplated that the lenses may be red or amber in order to conform with standard warning signals.

In order to supply electrical current from the battery B to' the lamp 39 suitable connections or wires 4| may be employed and it is contemplated that the circuit, as shown in Fig. 5 will include a switch 42 having a knob 43. The switch is of conventional type and in one position is adapted to maintain the steady flow of current therethrough; in another position it is adapted to permit current to flow intermittently, a blinker element 44 being built into the switch for this purpose.

A sign S is adapted to be attached to the upstanding member 3i by means-of fasteners 44 passing through apertures in the member 31.

Although various type signs are within the scope of the invention a preferred form is that shown in the drawing of which a partial rear elevation is shown in Fig. 4. Pivotally attached near an upper corner of the sign is a sleeve 45 which has an open end 46 and a restricted or closed end 41 and which is attached by means of a projection or car 48 through which a rivet or the like 49 is passed. For maintaining the sleeve in operative position as shown in Fig. 4, a catch 50, provided with an arcuate portion 5! with an ear 52 which is adapted to resiliently hold the sleeve in position is attached to the sign. In the position shown the sleeve is adapted to receive the staff of a flag or the like as illustrated in phantom. When not in use, the sleeve may be disengaged from the clasp 50 and rotated to the position shown in phantom in Fig. 4 in order that space be conserved.

Although a specific sign is shown, the invention contemplates the employment of other signs. Furthermore, the sign S shown may be used as a backing for another sign which may be attached thereto by means of the fasteners 44 and the stair supporting sleeves 45 may be used with a plurality of signs.

In'use the device may be easily moved from one position or location to another by means of the anti-friction wheels supporting one side thereof and the handle for manipulating the same. Combination signals may be employed including the sign, the flags and the light, or any one or combination of these elements as desired. The device is particularly advantageous for use on projects where signs must be frequently moved and where otherwise much valuable time and labor would be consumed in the moving and erecting thereof. Then too, the light may be used as a continuous or an intermittent signal as desired.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the in vention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A movable signal comprising a main framework having a plurality of sides, bridging members extending across said framework and providing with said framework a support for a source of electrical power, wheels attached at one side of said framework and props at the other end adapted to support the framework in a position above the surface on which the wheels and props rest, elongated members extending upwardly from the framework and having leg members extending laterally of the framework and spaced therefrom to provide an auxiliary support, said leg members being attached to each other, an upstanding member and a supporting strut therefor extending from the leg members, a sleeve secured to the leg members, a rod slidably positioned within the sleeve, a collar at one end of the rod and handle at the other, a visual Signal adapted to be electrically operated attached to the extremity of the upstanding member, electrical connections including a switch between the signal and the electrical power source, the switch being adapted in one position to maintain a steady connection and in another an intermittent connection when electric current is passing therethrough, said source of electrical power also serving as ballast to assist in maintaining said signal in upright position.

DONALD L. BEALL. HOWARD C. 'MENGES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

